Why and How Community Court Works

"I feel that Community Court is a great program. It is a real pleasure to know that you're making a difference in the community." - Community Court Participant

Traditional treatment, relying on punitive measures such as multiple court appearances and jail, are ineffective for these chronic offenders.
If a homeless person is charged with trespass for sleeping in a park, or theft because they took food without paying when they were hungry, what
is the best way for the justice system to respond?

This population needs a helping hand. A Community Court report from 2010 reveals that nearly 60% of our participants are homeless, 65% are chemically dependent, and 82% are unemployed.

"Community Court was wonderful, thanks to the caring & considerate
staff members. They made a stressful situation seem like a piece of
cake!" - Community Court Participant

Seattle Community Court provides the following structure for these offenders:

Each participant is given a needs assessment before they appear in court. This assessment gives the judge a tool to require social services linkages that directly address their own individual needs.

With a goal to see what's available, receive help and become enabled to make positive choices, each defendant must make an in-person contact with their recommended social services.

They also must be held accountable for the crimes they committed. Assigned community service hours, 'giving back'
to neighborhoods with the most need, provides immediate defendant accountability and promotes positive community stewardship among
our participants. Neighborhoods, as the victims of misdemeanor crimes, see justice served as offenders 'give back' to the communities they 'took from'.

Failure to comply with requirements results in sanctions, which may include a jail alternative.

A Community Court participant explained his experience best:

"Instead of sitting in jail and do nothing it was nice to go out and see the different things to be worked on. Seeing and hearing the public appreciation (for what)
we were doing was great. It was not an easy time but it felt that it was time well spent. I had time to reflect on what had gone on and my part in it.
As far as punitive measures go I think this had much more impact than sitting in jail."

"The program has introduced me to housing services and DESC case-manager. So after 10 years I'll finally have housing and [a] case-manager."